Notes and Queries, Number 22, March 30, 1850

A lively snapshot of Victorian scholarly exchange, this 1850 issue of a literary “Notes and Queries” brings together a wide array of contributors—poets, antiquarians, genealogists, and curious readers. The pages are filled with short essays, folklore snippets, and lively discussions on everything from old proverbs to obscure medical charms, offering a window into the eclectic interests of the era.

Among the most striking pieces is a bold argument about the authorship of The Taming of the Shrew. The writer contends that Shakespeare’s version is the original, while a later playwright—often linked to Marlowe—produced an imitation. By comparing passages and questioning long‑held assumptions, the essay invites listeners into a spirited debate that was still unfolding among 19th‑century scholars.

The volume also contains a miscellany of brief notes, queries, and replies on topics such as etymology, historical curiosities, and even advertisements for rare books. Together, these sections illustrate the collaborative, inquisitive spirit that defined the period’s intellectual community.